The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has been decimated by injuries this season, but especially as of late with Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone all being sidelined in the last month alone.
Amid the flurry of injuries was an unexpected, albeit positive development. Tony Gonsolin made his long-awaited return to the mound last Tuesday when he began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The 30-year-old started against the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners affiliate) and allowed two hits over two scoreless innings in what was his first game since Aug. 18, 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery last September after pitching through elbow discomfort. He was expected to miss the entire 2024 season, but has made steady progress in his recovery.
“No. I think with Tony, I’m sure he expected it. I think this is a great outcome for him and for us, potentially. He put in a lot of hard work,” manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if he thought Gonsolin would pitch in a game this season.
“Again, this is sort of raising the floor on next year and building somewhat of a foundation. If there’s a crazy scenario where he’s called upon for ’24 and it makes sense, great. But for him to be able to continue to take these steps is a compliment to him and the whole training crew.”
While Gonsolin cleared a major hurdle in his recovery, Roberts expressed doubt that he will pitch for the Dodgers this season. “I think it’s unlikely, and I talked to Tony, and he understands how unlikely it might be,” Roberts said.
“But to have him building up and getting in that playoff mindset, that if he is called upon to be ready, that’s open. And like I said before, for him to have that carrot out there, that motivation, it’s only upside.”
What could potentially change matters for Gonsolin and the Dodgers is if Kershaw and Stone aren’t available for the postseason.
Tony Gonsolin ‘different’ from Walker Buehler
Gonsolin is in the same situation that Walker Buehler faced last year when he coming off a second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair. Buehler made one rehab start with Oklahoma City before ending his pursuit of a return to focus on 2024.
“I think they’re a little different,” Roberts said of the two players’ respective rehab assignments. “I think we were really careful with Walker in the sense of what it could do for the following year, which is this year.
“I think with Tony, in the same vain a little bit, but I don’t think Walker was doing a three-inning rehab outing like this. Tony’s pitched out of the ‘pen, Walker did it his rookie year, but again, I still think it’s unlikely. But I applaud Tony for really trying to be a potential option.”
While Gonsolin impressed in his first start for OKC, he completed just 2.2 innings and allowed two runs. Seven of 15 batters Gonsolin faced reached base safely.
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